COTTON 111 



800 Ibs. of seed cotton per acre. In the previous year an 

 indigenous variety called " Meko " is recorded as having 

 produced over 900 Ibs. to the acre. These results are 

 largely dependent upon the season and the time of 

 sowing. 



Artificial pollination of the female flowers of the local 

 forms with pollen taken from American kinds has not 

 yet succeeded in producing a permanent hybrid, although 

 the result in the first generation has frequently shown 

 great promise. There is no doubt that the establishment 

 of a hybrid which would carry the lint of the best 

 American kind and retain the hardiness and blight- 

 resisting powers of the indigenous forms would be very 

 desirable, but such a type could only be evolved after 

 careful experiment and selection for a prolonged period. 

 Such work may probably be undertaken by the Agri- 

 cultural Department in the future. Until this can be 

 scientifically taken up, the improvement of the existing 

 forms by a more gradual means should be attempted, 

 namely by a careful selection of seed and elimination of 

 undesirable forms of plants in the field. 



Where cotton is planted by natives, the cultivation is 

 usually carefully carried out. Planting takes place in 

 June, July, or August, and the crop is harvested from 

 January until April. For the most part cotton is grown 

 by the Yorubas as a separate crop, although occasionally 

 it may be found in conjunction with maize. No manuring 

 is carried on, but the crops are generally fair, except in 

 the proximity of the Niger, for an unexplained reason. 

 No estimate can be made of the yield per acre from native 

 cotton fields, but from 60 to 80 bolls are frequently 

 found upon a single plant. 



Before passing to other matters in connection with 

 the condition of the cotton plant in the country, and 

 the appliances in use for the preparation of the lint for 

 export, it seems advisable to emphasise the main points 

 which require attention in the field. 1. Improvement 

 of the indigenous forms, by the careful selection of seed 

 at the ginneries, for distribution, and the subsequent 

 elimination of undesirable types of plant in the field. 

 2. Demonstration to the native farmer of a useful method 

 of combination of cotton with the existing field crops, 

 and especially the advantage of introducing leguminous 



